me again, am due to be going on our first family camping holiday soon. I think I've brought all the essentials and if I'm honest we have glamped !!! it a bit, else I'd never have persuaded wifey to go.
Few questions, hope you can help-
What are the best airbeds and cheapest place to get them? We had Tesco's middle of the range ones and they're flat by the morning.
Lighting ??? We have two kids, what's the best type of lights and lanterns that are reasonably priced and good quality / fit for purpose. They seem to range from £5-£50.
Heating ? - a few people have strongly recommended some kind of internal heater, particularly with the kids as it can get very cold. Again, seems to be tons of different kinds. Any help greatly appreciated. Gas or electric. Battery operated. Wind up ????
Dont believe you have bought the essential there will continue to be essential to buy
Thats the joy of camping
Are you going to use a pitch with an Elecric hook up
------------- Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Everything has been said before, but since nobody ever listens we have to keep going back and saying it all over again and again and again
Personally, I believe it is worth paying a bit more to get a better airbed, like Coleman.
As for lanterns, head torches are great for kids.
As for inside the tent, I would recommend a rechargeable one, or one that is battery operated, as it is not recommended to use gas appliances inside a tent.
I favour the look and design of Vango's ECO 15, as it can be powered by solar energy, 12V, 240V as well as winding. If I were to get a lantern today, it will be this one.
As for heaters, personally I would use an electric fan heater with variable temperature and fan settings, safety cut out, and can be used as a fan alone etc., with no more than 2kW of maximum output at the highest setting.
With this you would need to get an Electric Hook Up (EHU) Kit, and one should be able to pick up a good one for about 35 GBP with 3 sockets.
With EHU, you can then use one of those hanging work lamp for inside the tent (if it has a hanging point).
Good luck and have fun!
DK
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i can heartily recommend "readybeds "as an airbed. have agoogle for gelert rechargeable remote lanterns . they come with 230V and 12V charger. and the remote is great when you are lying in your bed and need to switch the light off.
We use Coleman Comfort beds - no problems in 3 years.
We use an EHU so have a small electric fan heater (around £20 from Argos).
For lighting we use an electric clip on light for the main area of the tent. We also have a rechargeable lantern which we use outside and in the bedrooms.
------------- Are you sure you've read the instructions?
I would definitely recommend the electric hookup. I have been camping for twelve years and this is the first time we have had electric and what a difference it makes..especially to the wife. Even little things like being able to charge your phone is invaluable, never mind the fan heater, the electric lights, the travel kettle (another must have no need to faff around with gas just to make a cup of tea).
Just be sure of your amps and power usage. The site we are currently at supplies 10amps of current which is 2400w. Don't over-do the appliances at the same time as it may make you a little unpopular. In other words don't run your big electric lights draws, like your fan heater and kettle, at the same time.
I can recommend the Aerobed Active double airbed. We got ours from Argos this year and paid £99 (brochure price £119) very comfortable and easy to put up and down. Packs up easily into its compact bag too.
we also have the Aerobed Active double airbed, purchased ours from Argos in the sale at £69.99, its great.
We also have EHU so have a fan heater also from Argos, and a clip on light with low enegy bulb for the main light. For the kids we have small tourches for going to the loo at night.
The spending will never stop, as you will see something, want something, or need something its called camping.
Have fun and enjoy.
------------- 2012
June - Queens Jubilee week -
Blackbull Pickering
June/July - Turkey (no Tent)
Aug - Bank Holiday- Whitefield Forest IOW 10 days
Sept - Skeg
2013 Nothing as yet , trying to get new boyfriend to go camping soon. Selling Maritisa 700 , so we can put it towards a VW Camper.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Camping virgins
